8th grader Mike wears a perfecto, idolizes a dropout, and hates the new school. He challenged it by slashing an ugly mark on its front. Then he found that the mark would stay on the wall and on his conscience until he removed it by his own decision. Mike's only interest is in electronics, and he repairs radios as a hobby. His counselor and teachers use his interest in electronics to prompt him to improve his reading and attitude. This Guidance film serves two audiences, students with attitudinal issues, and teachers trying to find a way to reach them. Notable quote from the script written by Jarvis Couillard, spoken by a construction supervisor responding to Mike's request for a ditch digging job: "Look kid, it's easy to grab the handle of a shovel. It ain't so easy to put it down. Beat it kid, you belong in school."
At one point the counselor makes a home visit, and we meet Mark's sisters played by Terry and Susan Rusinow, daughters of the producer.
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